Four Democratic candidates for Rhode Island Lieutenant Governor squared off in a forum moderated by Bill Bartholomew.

The Candidates

Sabina Matos — Incumbent Lieutenant Governor First appointed to the office in 2021 when Dan McKee moved up to governor; won a full term in 2022. Previously served on the Providence City Council, including as council president. Seeking a second full term; has made grocery affordability and housing central to her agenda.

Sue AnderBois — Providence City Councilor, Ward 3 Elected to the council in 2022; left a job at The Nature Conservancy to launch her campaign in November 2025. Cites her work chairing the North Main Street Task Force as a model for bringing stakeholders together on housing and infrastructure issues.

Cindy Coyne — Former State Senator, Barrington Served in the RI Senate from 2015–2023, chairing the Judiciary Committee; a retired State Police lieutenant. First candidate to formally enter the race (June 2025). Points to legislation banning untraceable "ghost guns" as a signature accomplishment.

Xay Khamsyvoravong — Former Mayor/City Councilor, Newport Entered the race in March 2026, the last of the four to join. Brown University grad, RWU law degree, spent 15+ years in banking including as SVP at Webster Bank; earlier was deputy chief of staff to General Treasurer Frank Caprio. Has led in fundraising for much of the race and campaigns on housing, infrastructure, and education investment "without raising taxes on working families."

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